Waqas Masih’s Handwritten Statement and Incident Report In a deeply disturbing act of religiously motivated violence, 22-year-old Christian laborer Waqas Masih was brutally attacked by a Muslim coworker at Subhan Allah Paper Mills, located in Chak No. 16, Sharqpur, Sheikhupura. The assailant allegedly falsely accused Waqas of blasphemy and had repeatedly pressured him to convert to Islam before launching a violent assault.
According to Riyasat Masih, Waqas’s father, his son had been facing discrimination and pressure at his workplace for at least a month leading up to the attack. Waqas was reportedly the only Christian employee at the factory.
Waqas, a resident of Bhatti Dhillwan in the jurisdiction of Housing Colony Police Station, was the eldest of six siblings. He had been working on contract in the cardboard packaging department of the paper mill for six months. His mother, Bushra Riyasat, has been employed as a school cleaner in Sheikhupura for nearly a decade. Both father and son had been working various jobs at different paper mills to support the family.
The Day of the Attack
On Friday, March 21, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, Waqas’s father visited him at work. While they were talking privately in a room, Zohaib Iftikhar, the shift in-charge, allegedly called Waqas away using a false pretense. Once they were alone, Zohaib reportedly asked:
“Have you accepted Islam?”
Upon Waqas’s clear refusal, Zohaib allegedly pulled out a sharp box cutter from his pocket and slashed Waqas’s throat, targeting his neck.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness named Riaz confirmed that Waqas fell to the ground, bleeding heavily, with deep wounds to his neck, while Zohaib fled the scene immediately.
Waqas’s father stated that the attack appeared premeditated. In the days leading up to it, Zohaib had repeatedly started arguments over minor work issues. On March 20, just one day before the attack, there had been a minor disagreement between the two.
The situation escalated further when Zohaib falsely accused Waqas of tearing pages from an Arabic Islamic studies textbook — a charge that constitutes blasphemy in Pakistan and carries grave legal consequences. The family completely denied the accusation, labeling it fabricated and malicious.
Aftermath and Medical Condition
After the attack, Waqas was rushed to Mayo Hospital in Lahore on Saturday, March 22, where he remains under critical care. Initially unable to speak due to the injuries, Waqas later regained partial consciousness and requested pen and paper to describe what happened.
In his handwritten statement, Waqas explained that he was targeted specifically because of his Christian faith. He wrote that Zohaib had manipulated friendly conversations, only to suddenly attack him. Realizing the gravity of the wound, Waqas tied his shirt around his neck to stop the bleeding and managed to escape before losing consciousness. He has no memory of how he reached the hospital.
Police Action and Arrest
The factory administration has reportedly cooperated with law enforcement. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at Sharqpur Police Station. Zohaib Iftikhar has been arrested and is currently in police custody under investigation.
Father’s Statement
Riyasat Masih, the victim’s father, made an emotional appeal:
“This is not just an attack on my son; it is an attack on humanity. My son was targeted because of his faith. I urge the government to take the strongest possible action against the attacker and to ensure the protection of all religious minorities in Pakistan.”
